A Combat Sports Legal Resource

Month: June 2017

The UFC announced that Nick Diaz has been provisionally suspended by the US Anti Doping Agency for accumulating 3 “whereabouts failures” within a 12 month period. Diaz has not competed since January, 2015. Despite this he remains under active contract with UFC parent company Zuffa, which incorporates the custom tailored UFC/USADA anti doping program “ADP” … More Legal Background of Nick Diaz’s UFC “Whereabouts” Violation

Update November 29, 2017 – The Government has now recognized a PSO for Grappling and Pankration. _______________________________________ Update June 29, 2017 – the Ministry of Sport has responded to my request confirming that there is not PSO for BJJ at this time but indicate this may change shortly advising as follows: “the Ontario Jiu Jitsu … More Ontario Set to Criminalize Amateur BJJ and Grappling as of July 1, 2017

Update June 30, 2017 – Texas has now exonerated Casey and reinstated her win ____________________________________________ Bloody Elbow’s Iain Kidd, whose reporting has been second to none on this issue, has highlighted a strong case of anti-doping regulatory failure. Cortney Casey, following a victory at UFC 211, was informed by the Texas Department of Licencing and … More Texas Accused of Glaring Anti-Doping Incompetence Following UFC 211

Reasons for judgement were recently published by the US District Court, N.D. Indiana, Hammond Division, demonstrating that the protections to recover legal fees in US Cable Act piracy prosecutions are a one way street. In the recent case (Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Matijevich) the Defendant Matijevich was personally sued, along with an LLC that … More “Loser Pays” in UFC Piracy Prosecutions is a One Way Street

Update February 26, 2018 – It is reported by Marc Raimondi that this lawsuit has been dismissed on jurisdictional grounds. ____________________ Earlier this week it was reported that MMA fighters Nate Diaz and Leslie Smith along with lawyer Sam Awad were being sued for alleged breach of contract along with other claims. I have had … More Thoughts and Questions on the Nate Diaz Lawsuit

Update June 22, 2017 – According to Boxrec Pliav has also been competing in professional boxing in the US during the course of his doping suspension. _______________________________________________________ It appears that Quebec may be turning a blind eye to doping suspensions when issuing licences for professional MMA. Recently, at TKO 39, Khetag Pliev defeated his opponent, … More Is Quebec Ignoring Doping Suspensions When Licencing MMA Athletes?

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies a recent study was published in the Journal of Biomedical Research documenting safety risks for wrestlers who utilize rapid extreme weight cut methods prior to competition. In short the study found these athletes risked hypernatremic reactions in competition. In the recent study, titled “The effects of Dehydration … More Study – Rapid Extreme Weight Cuts Risk Hypernatremic Reactions for Wrestlers

Earlier this year Zuffa issued subpoenas for a host of Bellator documents including “documents related to the negotiation, termination, cancellation, or transfer” of Bellator Contracts and documents relating to “all income Your Company received from presenting each Professional MMA Event“. After partial Bellator opposition to this wide-sweeping request Magistrate Judge Peggy E. Leen issued reasons setting … More Bellator Forced to Open the Books in UFC Anti Trust Lawsuit

Update June 18, 2017 – It is reported that Tim Hague has, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries. __________________________________________ Tragedy has struck the world of combat sports with UFC vet and former King of the Cage Canada heavyweight MMA champion Tim Hague fighting for his life following a boxing bout. Hague was knocked out by Adam … More Under the Legal Microscope – Questions Following the Tim Hague Tragedy

Update September 26, 2018 – Today USADA announced that Hunter had his results disqualified for competing while serving a period of ineligibility under the UFC Anti-Doping Program. ___________________________________ Update June 17, 2017 – Muaythai Ontario, the body who regulated this event and has recently obtained Provincial Sport Organization status in the Province, has issued a press release … More Suspended UFC Fighter Competes in Ontario Muay Thai Contest